Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Nice, thank you.
I have quite the collection of spares. My wife already questions my tire horde.

I am just waiting for an extra SCS F5 to take care of the backspacing issue on the spare wheel.

 

It’s good to see you back on the forum Nick. Hope to see some new Crom reports soon.

 

That first picture is fantastic. Nicely done Ken

 

I came across a small group who had an older rig that broke down and was partially blocking a turn about midway through. The broken rig had been there for a day and a half waiting for a part to arrive. They were pretty much done with the repairs when I came across them, so no help was needed when I offered. But we all had a beer or two when I was hanging out just to make sure the rig was actually fixed. Took some maneuvering to get my rig through, but it was all good. Good attitudes always goes along ways on the trails..

 

MVP just sticking around!

I'm tempted to climb it but I'm only on 265s/75, I do have a 2" lift

 

when I went down a few weeks ago, I felt comfortable going up on my 265/75 and I’m about stock height

I’d be more worried running into someone coming down

 

thats more than adequate to ascend/descend the pass. All you need is just a little patience and just be somewhat observant on the few switchbacks...

 

I've done it stock TRD OR.

 

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The second part of my trip report, this time covering some less visited canyons, is up:

Death Valley - Part 2, Canyons

 

Assuming you mean drive

Yeah I think that'd be fine with 4x4. Was there 2 weeks ago. It'll be slow but fun if you are careful.



Also: Killed my fifth KO2 since 2020. Maybe I am just a really bad driver? Started leaking somewhere in DV two weeks ago, finally took it in.



Three cheers for hazard warranties at Discount Tire. Wait, make that five!

 

3/12/20 0652 SVR

 

The silt bed in Hidden valley is no joke. Just got back from a couple of days in DV.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIMcybKedtg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBM44KqITaY

 

Incredible! Looks fun

 

Caught this guy gettin a drink in Goler wash

 

Make sure to hold the pressure washer to the nooks and crannies in your frame. It takes forever to get the silt out@

 

I’m heading into DV next week, on the fence between north and south, thought about Eureka and Steel, or Racetrack and Hunter or Lippincott, but sorry, that silt does NOT look fun to me … I’ll keep away from Hidden Valley. I think I’ll stay south and check out Goler, Striped Butte and maybe Hanaupah or Harry Wade, since I’ve never been between Ballarat and Badwater except for Surprise Canyon hiking and Charcoal Kilns. Only have a few days.

 

jesus you need a 10ft extension for your snorkel to go through that lol. How bad was the air filter clogged up?

 

Other than that spot in hidden valley all the roads are it really good shape with not much wash board. Harry wade was 70mph plus as was west side road, the road out of race track to ubehebe was real nice except for one silty spot. It was real short with a bypass that is not as deeply rutted.

It was horrible. It got up into the cabin filter too. Just got done cleaning that area out.

 

@Airdog now I see you have a PreRunner. Can that silty section be managed at lower speed with 4WD? I don’t have a snorkel and I'm not crazy about dust in any case (why do I like the desert? I dunno).

 

Baja-quality silt beds -- aways good to submarine under the silt.

This is also a great demonstration of a snorkel -- the idea that they stay above the dust, breathing in clean air is not based on reality.